Author: V. Dimov, M.D., Allergist/Immunologist and Assistant Professor at University of Chicago
Reviewer: S. Randhawa, M.D., Allergist/Immunologist and Assistant Professor at LSU (Shreveport) Department of Allergy and Immunology
Mycophenolate (CellCept) is often used as an alternative to azathioprine.
Mycophenolic acid. Image source: Wikipedia, public domain.
Mycophenolate mofetil is increasingly being used in place of azathioprine in organ transplantation, as it is associated with less bone marrow suppression, fewer opportunistic infections, and a lower incidence of acute rejection.
Mycophenolic acid is commonly marketed under the trade names CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil; Roche) and Myfortic (mycophenolate sodium; Novartis).
Mycophenolate is derived from the fungus Penicillium stoloniferum.
Mycophenolate blocks lymphocyte proliferation by inhibiting guanine nucleotide synthesis in lymphocytes. Mycophenolate affects purine nucleotide synthesis and metabolism. It is used in organ transplantation and is available in oral and intravenous form.
Mycophenolate was shown to be effective in severe atopic dermatitis, with some responders
showing lasting remission.
What is the molecule that tacrolimus binds to in order to exert its therapeutic effect?
(A) NFkB
(B) calcium
(C) ipraimmunophilin
(D) NFAT
(E) calcineurin
(F) calmodulin
(G) AP-1
Answer: E.
References
Immunosuppressive drugs. Wikipedia.
Abbas' Immunology, edition 6, 2009.
Mycophenolic acid. Wikipedia.
Published: 05/20/2009
Updated: 08/20/2010
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